Apparatus for forming wire cable grips



G. W. TAYLOR Oct. 22, 1968 APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE CABLE GRIPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed DeC. l9, 1966 INVENTOR. GEORGE W. TAYLOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 22, 1968 (5. w. TAYLOR 3,406,550

APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE CABLE GRIPS Filed Dec. 19, 1966 2 Sheets-$heet 2 ,44 43 43 25 .26 90 L 44a '44b 43a 43c UM SUPPLY 44c 4-4 r' 6| 1L I 60 2&4 46 I 4 l 2 600 I 600 u 60b l J INVENTOR. no V.A.C. BY GEORGE w. TAYLOR 1 e3 I ATTOR EYVS.

United States Patent 3,406,550 APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE CABLE GRIPS George Wesley Taylor, P.0. Box 573, Cupertino, Calif. 95014 Filed Dec. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 602,672 9 Claims. (Cl. 72-141) This invention relates to an apparatus for forming wire cable grips with right hand and left hand helical sections.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for forming a wire cable grip for gripping the external surface of the cable insulation without damaging same.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved semi-automatic machine for forming a cable grip from wire by bending a section thereof into a right hand spiral and bending another adjacent section thereof into a left hand spiral.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a machine with grooved mandrels that are adapted to be driven in the forward direction for simultaneously winding adjacent sections of a wire member thereon to form right hand and left hand cable receiving and gripping spirals, said mandrels being adapted to be rotated in the reverse direction for withdrawal thereof from the formed cable grip.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing in which, briefly:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the positions of the wire and key lock guiding the wire into the groove opening in the end of one of the mandrels;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are plan views of the wire forming mandrels showing the wire being wound thereon to provide the right hand and left hand spirals thereto;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the wire forming mandrels being withdrawn from the formed wire; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of electrical connections employed on this apparatus.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numerals 10 and 11 designate the wire forming mandrels which are provided with spiral shaped grooves 10a and 11a, respectively, for receiving the wire to be formed. Wire forming mandrel 10 is supported in suitable bearings provided to members 14 and 16 and wire forming mandrel 11 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings provided to members 13 and 15. The supporting members 13, 14, 15 and 16 are attached to the base plate 17. The wire forming mandrels 10 and 11, in addition to being rotatably supported by the members described above, are also axially slidable in these members so that they may be moved toward or away from each other.

Mandrels 10 and 11 are adapted to be driven or rotated in either direction by gears 18 and 19, respectively, which are provided with keys that are slidable in the grooves 10b and 11b, respectively. Gears 20 and 21, which are fixedly attached to the shaft 22, mesh with gears 18 and 19, respectively. Shaft 22 is also supported by suitable bearings in members 13, 14, 15 and 16. Gear 23 which is fixedly attached to shaft 24 meshes with gear 21.

Two magnetic clutches 25 and 26 are also mounted on the shaft 24. These clutches are of conventional construction and may be of a type manufactured by the Warner Electric Brake and Clutch Co., of Beloit, Wisconsin. Each clutch is provided with a winding which is adapted to be electrically energized, as will be described hereinafter. The winding of each clutch is enclosed in a suitable housing which is supported by ball bearings (not shown) on ice the armature thereof which is attached to the shaft 24. Clutch 25 is provided with a plate 250: which is mechanically coupled to the gear 27 so that when the winding of clutch 25 is energized, the gear 27 is mechanically coupled to the clutch armature attached to shaft 24. On the other hand, when the winding of clutch 26 is electrically energized, sprocket 28 which is attached to clutch plate 26a is mechanically coupled to the clutch armature attached to shaft 24. Thus, the shaft 24 may be driven in the forward or clockwise direction when clutch 25 is energized or in the reverse or counterclockwise direction when clutch 26 is energized. Thus, shaft 24 is driven forward from shaft 29 when the gear 27, which meshes with gear 30 mounted on shaft 29, is mechanically coupled to the shaft 24 by the clutch 25. On the other hand, shaft 24 is reversed when sprocket 28, which is driven by chain 32 and sprocket 31, is coupled to the shaft 24 by clutch 26. Shaft 29 is also provided with a pinion gear 33 that meshes with the gear 34 driven by motor 35.

Motor 35 rotates the shaft 22 either in clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending upon which of the clutches 25 and 26 is energized and, accordingly, shaft 32 drives the switch control shaft 36 in either direction. Shaft 36 is provided with a gear 37 which meshes with gear 20 that is keyed to the shaft 22. The limit switch control shaft 36 is provided with threads 36a that engage internal threads on the member 38 which is provided with pins 39 and 40 for engaging the switch arms 41 and 42, respectively, of limit switches 43 and 44, respectively. Thus, by rotating the shaft 36 in clockwise direction, member 38 is moved so that the pin 39 attached thereto is brought into engagement with the arm 41 of switch 43. On the other hand, by rotating the shaft 36 in the opposite direction, member 38 is moved so that the pin 40 attached thereto is brought into engagement with the arm 42 of switch 44. Pins 39 and 40 may be threaded into member 38 so that they may be adjusted. Switches 43 and 44 are both single pole double throw switches and may be conventional microswitch type. The blade terminals 43b and 44b of these switches are connected together and to the positive terminal of the volt direct current supply 45, as shown in the wiring diagram FIG. 9. Terminals 43a and 440 of these switches are connected to terminals 46a and 47b, respectively, of the foot switches 46 and 47, respectively, which are operated by the foot pedal 48. The other terminals 46b and 47a of switches 46 and 47, respectively, are connected to one terminal of each of the clutches 26 and 25, respectively. The other terminals of clutches 25 and 26 are connected together to a line leading to the negative terminal of the direct current supply 45.

The wire forming mandrels 10 and 11 are provided with holes in the end portions thereof which face each other for receiving the pin 50a provided to the wire key lock 50. Key lock 50 is provided with a recess 50b for receiving the cusp 12a formed in wire 12 to guide the opposite sides of the wire cusp into the openings to the grooves 10a and 11a of the mandrels 10 and 11 when the wire is placed on the top of the plate 49 so that the cusp 12a of the wire is over the slot 49a in the plate 49, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The key lock 50 is then rotated by finger pressure in the direction of the arrow so that the wire enters the slot 50b, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cusp of the wire is then locked in the openings to the grooves in the mandrels. Mandrels 10 and 11 are positioned above plate 49 so that they just clear this plate which is attached to the bottom plate 17 by hinges 49b. Movable angle supports 490 are attached to the bottom plate 17 and hold plate 49 at the desired angle with respect to the bottom plate 17.

The operator then presses on the forward end of the foot switch control pedal 48 to close the contacts of switch 46. Normally closed contacts 6% of relay 60 are connected in series with the foot switch 46 and both of these are closed. The winding of the forward clutch 25 is then energized from the 90 volt direct current supply 45 since the circuit in the forward limit switch 43 is closed between terminals 43a and 43b. Motor 35, which is energized from the conventional 110 volt A.C. supply, is thus coupled by clutch 25 to drive the mandrels 10 and 11 in the forward or clockwise direction. The key lock 50, which holds the wire in the openings of the grooves in the mandrels, as previously described, rotates with the mandrels and wire 12 is wound into the grooves 10a and 11a of these mandrels, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7.

At the same time the threaded shaft 36, which is also driven by the motor 35, moves the member 38 to the right and brings the pin 39 into contact with the arm 41 of limit switch 43. Thus, when the predetermined length of wire 12 is wound into the grooves 10a and 11a of the mandrels, the pin 39 actuates the arm 41 of the forward limit switch 43 so that the circuit in this limit is closed between terminals 43b and 430 and the winding of relay 62 is energized. Solenoid 55 is then energized through relay contacts 62a. Solenoid 55 then draws its armature in and rotates crank 51 on its pivot 52 so that members 51a receive the key lock 50 and prevent it from rotating during reverse rotation of the mandrels. At the same time, relay contacts 62b are closed and shunt contacts 47a and 47b of the reverse foot switch.

In automatic operation the operator does not have to press the pedal 48 with his heel to close reverse switch 47 to energize the reverse clutch 26 from the 90 volt D.C. supply since switch 47 is shunted by closed contacts 62b of relay 62. At the same time the winding of relay 60 is energized from this current supply since this winding is connected in parallel with the reverse clutch 26. When relay 60 is energized contacts 60b, which are normally closed, are opened and the normally open contacts 60a and 600 are closed. Solenoid 55 is then energized through the contacts 60a since reversing shaft 22 also reverses shaft 36 with the result that pin 39 is moved from arm 41 and limit switch 43 is allowed to reestablish the circuit between 43a and 43b and break the circuit between 43b and 43c.

The armature 54 of solenoid 55 is connected by spring 54a to one arm of the bell crank 51 which is pivotally attached by pivot 52 to the plate 49. Energizing solenoid 55 causes the armature 54 thereof to be pulled inward and, as a result, the other arm of the crank 51 is swung upward to catch the key lock 50 between the members 51a, whereby the key lock 50 is prevented from rotating during the reverse rotation of mandrels 10 and 11. Mandrels 10 and 11 are driven in the reverse direction by the motor 35 when the reverse clutch 26 is energized by closing the reverse foot switch 47. It will be noted that when the relay 60 is energized, the normally open contacts 60c are closed, and these form a closed circuit across the terminals 47a and 47b of the reverse foot switch 47 so that the operator need not hold the foot switch closed during the reverse operation, during which time the mandrels 10 and 11 are withdrawn from the formed wire spiral, as shown in FIG. 8.

When the mandrels 10 and 11 are withdrawn from the wire spiral, they are of course shifted along their axes so that they retreat from each other. The pin 50a of the key lock 50 is withdrawn at this time from the holes formed in the ends of the mandrels so that the key lock 50 is not supported by the mandrels during withdrawal of the mandrels from the formed wire spiral but it is supported by the catch members 51a of the bell crank. When the mandrels 10 and 11 are completely withdrawn from the formed wire spiral, the member 38, which is shifted by the threaded shaft 36, is moved to the left so that the pin 40 is brought into engagement with the arm 42 of limit switch 44 to break the circuit at 44b-44c and make the circuit at 44a-44b. Reverse clutch 26 and relay are then de-energized and contacts 60a and 600 are opened while contacts 60b are closed. Solenoid 55 is also de-energized and members 51a are disengaged from key lock 50. The key lock 50 is then removed from the formed spiral wire 12 which is lifted off of the plate 49. The mandrels 10 and 11 are then moved toward each other and the pin 50a of key lock 50 is inserted into the holes in the ends of the mandrels preparatory to forming another wire spiral.

Manually operated switch is provided in series with terminal 44a of limit switch 44 and the forward clutch 25 for the purpose of energizing this clutch momentarily at the end of the cycle of operation described so that the thread shaft 36 is rotated enough to move member 38 and draw pin 40 away from arm 42 of limit switch 44. This releases limit switch 44 and opens the circuit 44a- 44b and closes 44b44c in preparation for the next cycle of operation in which another wire spiral is to be formed.

This apparatus is also provided with manually operated switches 61 and 63 which were closed during the operation described. However, these switches are open when it is desired to disable relay 60 so that the apparatus is entirely maunally controlled.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown so that the scope thereof should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without im pairing the insulation thereof, the combination comprising a pair of grooved wire forming mandrels, one of said mandrels having a right hand spiral groove with the wire receiving opening thereof at one end of the mandrel and the other one of said mandrels having a left hand spiral groove with the wire receiving opening thereof at one end of this mandrel, means supporting said mandrels with the axes thereof in alignment, said mandrels being movable toward and away from each other so that the wire receiving openings of said grooves face each other when said mandrels are moved toward each other, means rotating said mandrels in the forward direction, means holding the cusp portion of a V-shaped wire in predetermined position with respect to said openings of said grooves when said one end of said mandrels are adjacent to each other so that said wire enters said grooves as said mandrels are rotated in the forward direction, whereby said wire is formed into spirals of opposing hands on opposite sides of said cusp portion as rotation of said mandrels in the forward direction is continued.

2. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said means rotating said mandrels includes means rotating said mandrels in the reverse direction for withdrawing said mandrels from the formed wire.

3. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said means rotating said mandrels comprises a pair of magnetic clutches, a pair of limit switches connected to control said clutches, means responsive to said rotating means for operating said limit switches, said last mentioned means including means operating one of said limit switches after said wire spiral is formed, and means operating the other of said limit switches after said mandrels are withdrawn from the formed wire.

4. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combinations as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that the means holding the cusp portion of the wire comprises a recessed member receiving the wire in the recess thereof for guiding the wire into said openings, said recessed member having a pin attached thereto, said pin being adapted to be received in holes formed in adjacent ends of said mandrels, said recessed member being adapted to be rotated with said mandrels.

5. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that the means holding the cusp portion of the Wire includes a plate positioned below said mandrels on which said wire is adapted to be positioned as it is fed to said mandrels.

6. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 5 further characterized in that said last mentioned means includes a recessed member supported between said mandrels holding said wire in said openings, said plate having a slot through which said recessed member is adapted to rotate during the forming of said wire.

7. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that the means holding said wire comprises a member supported between said mandrels and means preventing rotation of said member during withdrawal of said mandrels from the formed wire.

8. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that the means preventing rotation of said wire holding member includes a solenoid for operation thereof.

9. In apparatus for forming a wire spiral grip for use in anchoring or holding insulated cable without impairing the insulation thereof, the combination as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that the means preventing rotation of said wire holding means includes a solenoid connected to one of said limit switches whereby said solenoid is energized during withdrawal of said mandrels from said formed wire.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 287,827 11/1883 Hall 7214l 1,165,779 12/1915 Humphrey 72-141 X 3,051,202 8/1962 Kitselman -90 MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR FORMING A WIRE SPIRAL GRIP FOR USE IN ANCHORING OR HOLDING INSULATED CABLE WITHOUT IMPAIRING THE INSULATING THEREOF, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PAIR OF GROOVED WIRE FORMING MANDRELS, ONE OF SAID MANDRELS HAVING A RIGHT HAND SPIRAL GROOVE WITH THE WIRE RECEIVING OPENING THEREOF AT ONE END OF THE MANDREL AND THE OTHER ONE OF SAID MANDRELS HAVING A LEFT HAND SPIRAL GROOVE WITH THE WIRE RECEIVING OPENING THEREOF AT ONE END OF THIS MANDREL, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID MANDRELS WITH THE AXES THEREOF IN ALIGNMENT, SAID MANDRELS BEING MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER SO THAT THE WIRE RECEIVING OPENINGS OF SAID GROOVES FACE EACH OTHER WHEN SAID MANDRELS ARE MOVED TOWARD EACH OTHER, MEANS ROTATING SAID MANDRELS IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION, MEANS HOLDING THE CUSP PORTION OF A V-SHAPED WIRE IN PREDETERMINED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID OPENINGS OF SAID GROOVES WHEN SAID ONE END OF SAID MANDRELS ARE ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER SO THAT SAID WIRE ENTERS SAID GROOVES AS SAID MANDRELS ARE ROTATED IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION, WHEREBY SAID WIRE IS FORMED INTO SPIRALS OF OPPOSING HANDS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CUSP PORTION AS ROTATION OF SAID MANDRELS IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION IN CONTINUED. 